Canadian PM Targets Trump Policies

Mark Carney has firmly dismissed any suggestions of Canada joining the United States and is determined to prevail in the escalating trade conflict with Washington. Prime Minister Mark Carney has declared that Canada will never become part of...

Canadian PM Targets Trump Policies
Mark Carney has firmly dismissed any suggestions of Canada joining the United States and is determined to prevail in the escalating trade conflict with Washington.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has declared that Canada will never become part of the United States, countering US President Donald Trump’s ongoing comments about the possibility of making Canada the 51st state.

On Thursday, Trump reiterated his belief that “Canada only works as a state” and defended his tariff imposition on the country, claiming that the US spends $200 billion a year to subsidize Ottawa.

After being sworn in as prime minister on Friday, Carney spoke outside Ottawa’s Rideau Hall and rejected the idea of annexation.

“We will never, ever, in any way, shape, or form, be part of the United States,” he asserted.

Carney further remarked, “America is not Canada,” emphasizing that his country is “a very fundamentally different nation.” He noted that both “the nature of Canada” and “the economics” render Trump’s idea unimaginable.

The new prime minister stated that Trump would only respect Canada if it explores alternative options, highlighting the importance of strengthening the economy and seeking other trade partners. Earlier in the week, Ottawa retaliated against Trump’s 25% duty hikes by imposing similar tariffs on tens of billions of dollars’ worth of American imports.

“Negativity won’t win a trade war. Our country, Canada, is strong. Our government is united and strong, and we will immediately get to work,” he expressed.

Carney recently became the leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party and is set to take over as prime minister following a general election. Justin Trudeau resigned in January amid low approval ratings driven by inflation, a housing crisis, and economic difficulties. In his inaugural address on Sunday, the economist and former central banker pledged to uphold Canada’s retaliatory tariffs until “Americans show us respect.”

“We didn’t ask for this fight, but Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves,” Carney stated, adding, “Canada will win.”

In addition to his remarks about Canada, Trump has also shown interest in annexing Denmark’s Arctic territory of Greenland and reasserting US control over the Panama Canal.

Frederick R Cook for TROIB News